Trying To Improve My Grading: 1940 S Lincoln Cent

Gradewise I'll say VG-8 40-S, AUish 61-D, VFish 56-D, and mid AUish for the 41-D. Hope this helps .

It is absolutely excellent that you are trying to improve your grading skills.
With improved grading skills, you can potentially save yourself a lot of money and heartache, especially when buying.

Have a good look at the Photograde site.

Sadly, I think that The coins with beautiful color toning have been treated with metal polish, and are slowly re toning back to a brown color.

With grading threads here in the CCF, you will get far more responses with constructive comments,
if you post one coin per thread.


But for now,
1940S: VG-8,
1961D: EF-40,
1956D: AU-50,
1941D: AU-50.

please post one coin per thread.
ensure your photos are right side up
try not to use overhead lighting as it creates glare washing out the surfaces

Lighting? The best suggestion is to experiment. Generally, it's a good idea to use diffused lighting--like placing a sheet of tracing paper between the light source(s) and the coin. Don't use flash. Are you using a phone camera, DSLR, other device?

I am using an IPhone 12 Plus which does not have macro. I have purchased a new macro clip on lens that works great. My problem with lighting is it is overhead and if I take shots with the camera directly over it I get shadows. Also my light in the lens seems to have waves of different light. I have got to find a better lighting source. Trial and error.,